Stéphane Leathead-Exocet Multifunctional Chair

At Design Interviews

Interview with Stéphane Leathead : Frank Scott: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?. Stéphane Leathead : To design a chair that would have multiple functions while remaining comfortable and easy to use. .Frank Scott: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?. Stéphane Leathead : To create a chair using very few pieces. Could it be possible to design a chair using only one basic form .Frank Scott: What are your future plans for this award winning design?. Stéphane Leathead : To create an Exocet Collection .Frank Scott: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?. Stéphane Leathead : 2 months .Frank Scott: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?. Stéphane Leathead : As a personal challenge. I had enough of the traditional existing long chair. .Frank Scott: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?. Stéphane Leathead : I&#039;m planning to sell the production rights but I do produce limited edition myself. .Frank Scott: What made you design this particular type of work?. Stéphane Leathead : The desire to create something meaningful, different, pleasing. .Frank Scott: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?. Stéphane Leathead : no .Frank Scott: Who is the target customer for his design?. Stéphane Leathead : Design lovers, Luxury Lifestyle, High-end furniture boutiques, Interior design, Architecture, Exclusive Hotels &amp; Resorts, Exclusive International Cruise lines &amp; ships, Luxury Spa Resorts &amp; Centres, Private collection .Frank Scott: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?. Stéphane Leathead : The fact that you can transform it to your needs very simply. .Frank Scott: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?. Stéphane Leathead : When configured as a lounge chair, it looks like a fish. The Exocet name became obvious when I realized I could combine the &quot;X&quot; and the &quot;O&quot; to create one possible configuration. Exocet is the name of the flying fish. .Frank Scott: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?. Stéphane Leathead : 3D software and good old .Frank Scott: What is the most unique aspect of your design?. Stéphane Leathead : It is designed from one slat shape. .Frank Scott: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?. Stéphane Leathead : no .Frank Scott: What is the role of technology in this particular design?. Stéphane Leathead : The technology is crucial to create pieces of the exact same shape. Without technology this design wouldn&#039;t be possible. .Frank Scott: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?. Stéphane Leathead : no .Frank Scott: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?. Stéphane Leathead : To produce perfectly identical slats. To avoid friction problems. .Frank Scott: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?. Stéphane Leathead : When I received amazing response form all around the world. .Frank Scott: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?. Stéphane Leathead : I realized that furniture design in something I should push further. .